Kalakshetra Bani / Kalakshetra Bani Vol. 1 – Slokam Mandalas Hastas & Adavus

What alphabets are to a language, adavus are to Bharatanatyam. These basic components are combined to create coordinated movements of the body and lend it seamless continuity.

It was Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, the founder of Kalakshetra who collated and codified the adavus and the theoretical elements in the Bharatanatyam repertoire with great vision. She did this with the help of several stalwart Sanskrit and Tamizh pundits who researched traditional texts. She personally learnt the best aspects of the Pandanallur and the Devadasi traditions from the legendary Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai and Mylapore Gowri Ammal. She had earlier learnt the grace and precision of Western ballet from Cleo Nordi, chief disciple of Anna Pavlova, who had greatly inspired Rukmini Devi. This synergy between the various techniques she had learnt with such passion led to a unique sensibility and the style that evolved began to be called the ‘Kalakshetra Bani’.

This DVD, the first in the series, attempts to document and perpetuate Smt. Rukmini Devi’s legacy in a humble manner.

Here video footages of Kalakshetra students practicing in the quiet and verdant ambience of their alma mater, backed by cogent explanations, take us through adavus, mandalas, hasta mudras- both single & double hand gestures. Besides teaching the right method, the students are made aware of the problem areas and provided guidelines as to how to avoid them. We also get to understand how adavus, set in sequential time, can be used in a number of ways within a metrical cycle.

Style of rendering an adavu, placing the toes in a particular way, taking the bend to the maximum extent, stretching the arm to its fullness, the emphasis points, the manner in which you pirouette- all such aspects have been discussed in a comprehensive manner.

A perfect learning tool for those who want to begin from the beginning.

Topics covered:

Slokam & Namaskaram
Mandalas
Tattadavu
Asamyuta hastas
Naattadavu
Samyuta hastas
Dhyana slokam
Tha thai thai thath adavu
Usi adavu
Kuditthu Mettadavu
Tath thai taam adavu
Tath tai tha ha adavu